Gerald Myers

Athletic Director

If forced to pick just one word to sum up the Gerald Myers era as Texas Tech's athletic director the word would, without a doubt, be progress. There has probably never been a more exciting time to be a Texas Tech Red Raider.

A quick progress report shows that, with direction from an aggressive effort from the university administration and under Myers' watch, Texas Tech is on its way to being a leader in Big XII Conference and national college athletics in the new millennium.

Highlights of note…

• Tech basketball and volleyball teams became permanent tenants at the United Spirit Arena, arguably the finest collegiate basketball facility in the country, in the Fall of 1999.
• Work has already begun on a $75 million facelift for Jones Stadium, a renovation which will add 40 luxury suites, 1,500 club seats, upgraded restroom and concession areas and a new working press box to the West side of Jones Stadium.
• Construction began in May and completion is set for January 2001 for new softball and tennis facilities.
• A new and invigorated Texas Tech sports marketing and corporate partnership plan, with a full-time marketing and promotions staff, is in place for the first time in Texas Tech athletic department history. For the first time Red Raider marketing efforts will be controlled "in house."
• Academic student services and compliance to conference and NCAA rules are at an all time high at Texas Tech with the hiring of some of the top administrators in those fields over the last three years. Over 170 Red Raiders were named to the latest Big XII Commissioner's Honor Roll and it is not uncommon for Tech athletes to be competing while pursuing graduate degrees.
• Texas Tech completed its latest NCAA Certification process in 1999 and was certified without conditions in early 2000.
• A new Astroturf surface was put in place at Jones Stadium in the Summer of 1999.
• Renovations to athletic offices in the South endzone of Jones Stadium are underway and will feature new football offices, a weight training facility, meeting rooms and a theatre-style auditorium when finished over the next two years.
• The football practice facility was totally renovated, as were football locker rooms and strength training facilities, in the spring of 2000.

As evidenced above, the 63-year-old Myers has been at the forefront in leading the athletic program through a time of change and transition.

Myers was named Texas Tech's 12th athletic director on Feb. 17, 1997 after serving as interim director since June 11, 1996. Prior to that, he was serving in his first year as associate athletic director for sports programs. The previous five years Myers served his alma mater as an assistant and associate athletic director, overseeing various aspects of the athletic department.

As one of the Red Raiders' greatest players and coaches, Myers has had a major impact on Texas Tech's historic past. In his work as an administrator, he is now focusing on the future as Tech strives to become a leader in collegiate athletics.

Myers, the winningest men's basketball coach in Texas Tech history, served as Red Raider head basketball coach for 20 years (1971-91). After taking over midway through the 1970-71season, he posted a 326-261 record and led the Red Raiders to 16 winning records, three conference championships and four NCAA Tournament berths.

Myers also earned three letters as a member of the Texas Tech basketball team from 1956-59. His 86.9 free throw percentage in 1957-58 is still second-best on the all-time Texas Tech career charts.

He earned his undergraduate degree in education from Texas Tech in 1959 and a Master's Degree from Tech in 1965.

A native of Borger, Texas, Myers coached at Lubbock Monterey High School and Houston Baptist before returning to Texas Tech in 1970 as an assistant coach.

Myers is a member of the Texas Tech Athletic Hall of Honor, the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame and the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame. He also served as president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

He and his wife, Carol, have a daughter, Laurie McKee, and two grandsons, Matthew and Connor.

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